Former Central Market cupcake stand opens storefront business right next door

Patrons at 46 W. Philadelphia St. in York can once again enjoy the cozy courtyard space with a cup of coffee, a cupcake and more.

Catalina Ruiz, owner of Cupcakes and More formally located inside Central Market, recently opened up shop in the space that previously housed Harmony Cafe.

Originally from Mexico City, Ruiz has called York County home for the last 25 years, where she's established new roots, friendships and has run Cupcakes and More for the last six and a half years.

She took over the cupcake stand from the previous owner and has since made it her own. In addition to cupcakes, over the years Ruiz has offered homemade churros, layered cakes and tres leches cake, a popular Latin American sponge cake soaked in three types of milk.

Ruiz plans to offer even more pastries at her new shop, including miniature pies, cinnamon rolls, and tiramisu as well as salads, grab-and-go parfaits and breakfast sandwiches.

"I want this to feel like a small Mexican coffee shop, where you can come and have a coffee, smoothie, cake or pastry with your loved ones," Ruiz said.

As a creative person, Ruiz said her shop is a reflection of her personality. From the menu including desserts made with family recipes, to the walls painted bright orange and green, with the addition of a hand painted mural along the wall across from the courtyard, made by her friend Suzanne Rende.

What began as a daunting task to transform the shop into a place of her own took Ruiz and a team of helpers three months to bring Cupcakes and More to life. She expressed her gratitude towards a special support circle that was by her side from the beginning, including Cherie and Steve Mansberger, Mary Schultz, Madeline Torres Ocasio, Bethany Rodriguez and Alfonso Cruz.

"Catalina has been a staple at Central Market for years as Cupcakes and More. The renovation she has completed is magnificent; and I believe she will quickly become the go-to place for locals and downtown workers to grab a coffee and go, or to sit and chat and make memories over tasty hyper-local cuisine," said ROCK Commercial Real Estate realtor Nate Resh.

On the menu you can find several rotating cupcake flavors daily, as well as tres leches, salads, fresh fruit and more to come as the menu expands. For drinks, Ruiz offers Zeke's coffee, fresh fruit smoothies, teas and espresso beverages.

Cupcakes and More is located at 46 W. Philadelphia St., and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Former Central Market cupcake stand opens storefront business right next door